No Platform Policy

History

The No Platform for racists or fascists policy was first introduced in 1974 in the face of rising electoral support for the far-right National Front. On a national level it affirms the need not to provide a platform for bigotry, both by preventing joint campaigns with racist groups and by encouraging individual Student Unions to adopt No-Platform policies to prevent racist and fascist groups using Union property, attending Freshers' Fairs etc.

Problems

Soon after the No Platform policy was passed, the United Nations officially equated Zionism with racism. This soon led to attempts to ban Jewish Societies affiliated to Zionist organisations such as the Union of Jewish Students from campuses around the country. At other times No Platform has been used in attempts to prevent other ethnic minority groups attempting to self-organise and to silence controversial Conservative speakers in Unions.

No Platform Today

The No Platform policy was re-affirmed as recently as Spring 2000, by NUS Annual Conference, and motions re-affirming a No Platform policy have been tabled to Conference 2001. Many Unions around the country have successfully adopted No Platform policies, and they have been heralded as effective tools in fighting extremist groups attempting to recruit on campus. However as at every Conference at which No Platform is raised as an issue, a minority of delegates opposed its continuation believing the policy, particularly when combined with calls to support the 'Pull the Plug' campaign to deny the British National Party access to the airwaves through Party Election Broadcasts, threatens the right to free speech.

Paul writes

All students have the right not to feel harrassed in their own Union, and NUS's No Platform Policy makes that clear. However, the No Platform Policy is no substitute for taking real action to tackle the hate and the ignorance that spawns racism, homophobia and bigotry. Fears by some about infringing the right to free speech means that the No Platform Policy can divide the very movement it is intended to unite. The tide of prejudice that has followed September 11th, means it is more important than ever to be united against the threat groups like the BNP pose. The far-right seek to dress up their hatred in intellectual language, and are therefore targetting our universities and colleges. Many of them even seek the 'martydom' of 'censorship'. No Platform may help, but only by working as part of the wider community, challenging prejudices, ignorance and alienation can the student movement make a real difference. The No Platform policy is certain to stay after Conference 2002. As Secretary I will uphold Conference's decision, to ensure no member of NUS feels unable to participate in their Union because of fear. I will support the anti-racism campaign in building a wider mass-campaign to challenge racism, homophobia and bigotry wherever it rears its head, and standing in solidarity with all those targetted by hate.

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